Climbing swamp fern
Stenochlaena palustris

Family: Blechnaceae

What it is like

A climbing or scrambling fern with a thin smooth rhizome which climbs up sago palms and tree trunks. It can be 20 m long. The stems are brown smooth and less than 1 cm across. They are only sparingly branched. The fronds are up to 80 cm long and have leaflets. The fronds droop. The fronds have several leaflets and are often red in colour when young. Fertile fronds when they occur, are at the top and are thin.

There are about 6 Stenochlaena species. They are swamp loving ferns of the tropics and subtropics. It contains 5 flavonol glycosides. It is rich in polyphenols.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is widely distributed in areas of shrub especially in swampy coastal areas. It likes warm, waterlogged partly cleared forest sites. It is frost sensitive. In Indonesia it grows up to 500 m above sea level. In southern China it grows up to 400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked. They can be used in sweet and sour curries and in vegetable soups.

A common fern in lowland areas and eaten in several different places in Papua New Guinea. Also eaten in other countries.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

It is easily grown. Sections of the rhizomes or stems can be planted in wet soils.

Its other names

Local names

Ajuwajuwa, Akaw paku, Aono, Barangbang, Daomalai lot, Dhekia lota, Diliman, Kalakai, Kwalo rara, Lamding, Lata dheki shak, Lembiding, Lemidi, Memiding, Midin, Miding, Midre, Nivi kakla, Nongro, Nya nave, Orare, Pakis bang, Pakis merah, Pakis rawa merambat, Paku hurang, Paku lamodeh, Paku larut, Paku mesin, Paku miding, Paku ramu, Paku udang, Phdau sva si slok, Ponolo, Rara, Rau choai, Rembidi, Rosi, Sa, Simbiaui, Sinasina, Tarong, Tunane sai, Vor thnanh, Vulavula, Waba, Wainongu, Wamidri

Synonyms

Acrostichum scandens (Sw.) Hook.; Lomaria junglandifolia Presl.; Polypodium palustre Burm.; Stenochlaena fraxinifolia Presl.; Stenochlaena laurifolia Presl.;